2003 WACD Annual Convention

"Wyoming - Conserving the Best"

Outstanding Cooperator

The Outstanding Cooperator of the Year for 2003 is the Big Sandy Working Group.  The Big Sandy Working Group is comprised of 46 individuals, including livestock permittees as well as representatives from the legislature, the Sweetwater County Conservation District, the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Wyoming Game and Fish Department and State Grazing Board members on four allotments.

In the last year along, they have initiated their monitoring program, establishing a baseline level of data.  The group completed the Environmental Assessment and will begin work in 2003 on five initial water development projects.  All of these are a part of an ongoing 10-year goal and 50-year vision for maintaining the health of the Big Sandy River .  The overall Big Sandy Riparian Habitat Enhancement Project includes making grazing plan adjustments and managing the river corridor more intensively by drilling wells, creating pit reservoirs, implementing pipeline, installing troughs and building 28 miles of electric fencing.  After the completion of the proposed water and fence projects, a deferred-rotation grazing plan will be fully implemented.  The Big Sandy Working Group recognizes that these grazing plans cannot fully function without first having the installation of the proposed projects.

The Group is a true demonstration of local people working together for a common goal.